What’s the Best Vegan Deodorant or Antiperspirant?
(Cruelty-Free)

The health and beauty industries are among the biggest offenders when it comes to animal testing.

This is especially the case when it comes to skincare products (see also our favorite Korean anti-aging products), even for products as basic as deodorants and antiperspirants..

We spent about 2 months testing and researching cruelty-free vegan deodorants and antiperspirants and found that despite the rampant practice of animal testing, there are commendable brands that go against this and ensure that their products are 100% animal-friendly..

However, we did find some products with rather misleading labels, so make sure you stick with our recommended deodorants.

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ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Schmidt's Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant for Women and Men, Rose and Vanilla with 24 Hour Odor Prot

Schmidt's Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant for Women and Men, Rose and Vanilla with 24 Hour Odor Prot

  • Really natural. really works. the first ecocert certified natural deodorant in the us, schmidt's ro
  • Certified 100 percent natural origin fragrance rose and vanilla deo features a heavenly bouquet of
  • Proven protection whether you're looking for natural deodorant for women or mens deodorant, our awa
  • Fights body odor 1-2 swipes is all you need for all-day protection with just a small amount. hold d
  • Plant-based ingredients schmidt's deodorant without aluminum is formulated to be gentle on skin, us
9.7
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Organic Island Deodorant Baking Soda Free with Probiotics for Sensitive Skin 2.5 oz Stick, Natural w

Organic Island Deodorant Baking Soda Free with Probiotics for Sensitive Skin 2.5 oz Stick, Natural w

  • Sensitive baking soda free deodorant - if you are new to natural deodorants please try our original
  • Special ingredients magnesium, arrowroot, kaolin clay and non-nano zinc oxide combine to fight odor
  • Probiotics natural, organic, baking soda free, aluminum free deodorant with vegan probiotics for odo
  • -bpa free -gluten free -baking soda free -aluminum free -paraben free -alcohol free -no added fragra
  • Money back guarantee if it doesn't work for you or you don't like it we will happily refund you
9.5
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Zion Health Clay Dry Deodorant, Original Silk, 2.5 Oz

Zion Health Clay Dry Deodorant, Original Silk, 2.5 Oz

  • Provides long lasting protection without harsh chemicals.
  • Clay minerals will absorb some sweat naturally.
  • Combine an essential oil blend of calendula, alpine and chamomile to minimize and neutralize odors n
9.1
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Kopari Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant with Organic Coconut Oil | Original 2 Pack | Vegan, Gluten Fr

Kopari Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant with Organic Coconut Oil | Original 2 Pack | Vegan, Gluten Fr

  • Aluminum free deodorant: sweat is natural, aluminum on your bod is not. unjunk your funk and say goo
  • Non-toxic & glides on clear: aluminum free, baking soda, free, paraben free, vegan, cruelty-free, de
  • Plant based: keeps you fresh all day, even during a workout. coconut oil hydrates and soothes sensit
  • Sweat & odor protection: clear formula glides on smooth without leaving a sticky, white residue. our
  • Original: our classic coconut deodorant in its original scent. naturally based and aluminum free, em
8.8
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Herban Cowboy Wild Deodorant -- 3x2.8 Oz3

Herban Cowboy Wild Deodorant -- 3x2.8 Oz3

  • 2.8 ounces
8.6
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Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes 30 Coconut Milk & Gardenia

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes 30 Coconut Milk & Gardenia

  • Brand new in box. the product ships with all relevant accessories
8.2
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Green Tidings Organic All Natural Deodorant, Lavender, 2.7 Ounces (3 Pack)

Green Tidings Organic All Natural Deodorant, Lavender, 2.7 Ounces (3 Pack)

  • Go green. smell clean: green tidings natural lavender deodorant for men & women, lasts up to 48 hour
  • Why does green tidings win awards? non-toxic. organic ingredients. solar made. cruelty-free. vegan.
  • Zero compromise: we use even use 100% solar power to create our moisturizing and soothing natural de
  • We have options! our deodorant comes in 2 sizes, the 1 ounce size is best as a "tester" size, or for
  • A parents promise: being a parent and a business owner, both mean responsibility for uncompromising
8
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Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant - Mini Deodorant 4-Pack Includes Fresh Vanilla Lemon, Pure Vanilla, V

Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant - Mini Deodorant 4-Pack Includes Fresh Vanilla Lemon, Pure Vanilla, V

  • Aluminum-free deodorant that works. our natural deodorant delivers long-lasting, effective odor prot
  • Vanilla coconut. bursting with fresh scent, this vanilla coconut deodorant is a tropical blend of cr
  • Vanilla lemon. this fresh vanilla lemon deodorant is a bright blend of crisp lemon, bamboo and soft
  • Vanilla grapefruit. bursting with fresh scent, this vanilla grapefruit deodorant is a citrusy blend
  • Pure vanilla. this pure vanilla deodorant is a beautiful and fresh blend of madagascar vanilla and s
7.7
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Tom's of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick Unscented 2.25 oz (Pack of 3)

Tom's of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick Unscented 2.25 oz (Pack of 3)

  • Product of tom's of maine
  • Pack of 3
7.4
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Sam’s Natural Deodorant - Aluminum Free - No phthalates, parabens, sulfates, or dyes - Made in New

Sam’s Natural Deodorant - Aluminum Free - No phthalates, parabens, sulfates, or dyes - Made in New

  • Leather - leather deodorant mingles the rich scent of musk with the aromatics of honey, tobacco, and
  • Aluminum-free, long-lasting, hardworking & eco-friendly - also free of phthalates, parabens, sulfate
  • How to apply a little bit goes a long way! resist the urge to over apply, 1-2 light swipes is all y
  • Made in new hampshire - all sam's natural products are made in small batches at our facility in atki
  • Hassle-free returns not only do we make excellent, hardworking products but our customer service is
7.2
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CRYSTAL Deodorant Mineral Deodorant Stick, Travel, 1.5 Ounce

CRYSTAL Deodorant Mineral Deodorant Stick, Travel, 1.5 Ounce

  • The og mineral deodorant: 35 years ago, we invented the original mineral salt deodorant, making it t
  • Crystal clear ingredients: crystal is the only deodorant brand to receive clean label project purity
  • Gentle and invisble: tiredof rashes caused by other natural deodorant? crystal body deodorant is der
  • Smell good naturally: regular deodorant blocks your pores which is pretty gross when you think about
  • Good vibes only: crystaldeodorant is vegan, cruelty-free, safe, and effective. we never test our pro
9.5
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Love Beauty And Planet Deodorant, Argan Oil and Lavender, 2.95 Oz

Love Beauty And Planet Deodorant, Argan Oil and Lavender, 2.95 Oz

  • Our love beauty and planet aluminum free deodorant, argan oil and lavender 2.95 oz is an aluminum fr
  • Made with ethically sourced french lavender, to keep you smelling fresh all day long with soft flora
  • This deodorant is also enriched with moroccan argan oil
  • Vegan deodorant and not tested on animals
  • With recyclable canisters made from 43% recycled plastic, this aluminum free deodorant gives a littl
9.5
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1 – Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant (Editor’s Choice)

Schmidt’s vegan deodorant uses only natural ingredients, with the primary active substance being baking soda.

Yes, this simple household item is known to help absorb sweat in a way that may limit the bad odors [1].The only downside we found with this one is that it may create a slightly waxy residue if you apply too much of it. However, most users report that they only need a small amount to smell fresh.

PROS

  • Aluminum-free, but may still help reduce sweating
  • Based on sodium bicarbonate, arrowroot powder, and coconut oil

​CONS

  • May leave a slightly waxy residue if overused

Not just cruelty-free, this is one of the vegan and organic products that we found might be quite effective. Many users like the fact that it’s unscented, as it may help you to not clash with perfumes or aftershaves.However, if you do want a deodorant that provides a nice fragrance, then this one may not be suitable.

PROS

​CONS

  • Not available in a scented version

By including aluminum-free probiotic ingredients, it claims to help reduce the risk of body smells developing with less of a chance of allergic reactions.

2 – Organic Island

Made for sensitive skin, this baking Soda Free deodorant has special ingredients like Magnesium, Arrowroot, Kaolin, Clan & Non-Nano Zinc Oxide.

Natural, Organic, Baking Soda free, Aluminum free Deodorant with Vegan Probiotics for odor control.

BPA free -Gluten free -Baking soda free -Aluminum free -Paraben free -Alcohol free -No added fragrance -Vegan

3 – Zion Health Clay Dry

If you like changing the fragrance of your vegan deodorants regularly, then Zion Health may have you covered.

Personally, I tend to get bored with deodorants quickly, so this was a convincing factor for me.Many users also highlighted that the blend of clay and natural oils meant that there was less risk of itching after applying it.

However, a few reviews highlighted that they noticed that some pores became clogged, so keep an eye out for that (see best oils for under eye wrinkles).

PROS

  • Uses clay minerals and essential oils
  • Available in a broad range of different smells

​CONS

  • Some reports of clogged pores

4 – Kopari Deodorant

Kopari is another vegan deodorant that avoids the use of harmful aluminum and is mainly based on coconut oil and milk.

These have become quite popular in body and skincare (see also ‘How to Care for Your Skin Before and After Microdermabrasion‘) products as they rarely cause allergic reactions [2].

However, if you tend to lead a very active life or spend a lot of time in a hot climate, then this may not give you the same full-day freshness as other vegan antiperspirants do.

PROS

  • Based on organic coconut oil
  • Positive reviews about it not leaving a white residue

​CONS

  • May not provide full-day odor protection

5 – Herban Cowboy Wild Deodorant

Yes, I’ll admit it, the clever marketing name of this brand had me hooked from the start.

But despite my suspicions, I was pleasantly surprised.I would agree with many user reviews that the certified vegan deodorant applies easily and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.

As the name suggests, though, the scent is quite strong, so keep that in mind.

PROS

  • Positive comments about the smooth and non-sticky application
  • Easy on the skin (see wrinkle care) with low risk of rashes

​CONS

  • The smell is quite strong

6 – Pacifica Beauty Deodorant Wipes

Personally, I had never heard of these types of deodorant products, but our female team members all seem to keep some of these Pacifica Beauty Deodorant Wipes in handbags.

We also noticed that many users commented that even though their skin was sensitive, they didn’t seem to have any reactions to the wipes.

Just keep in mind that they aren’t the cheapest, and you may need to use a few of them each day.

PROS

  • Convenient wipes make it easier to remove sweat
  • Reviews include comments that it’s suitable for sensitive skin

​CONS

  •  May work out expensive if needed multiple times a day

7 – Green Tidings Natural Deodorant

This is the first vegan deodorant with shea butter and natural oils that we found.

The reason we like seeing natural oils (see also ‘The Benefits of Essential Oils‘) in deodorants is that there really is no need to test them on animals, as their use is so widespread.

The first item on the ingredients list is baking soda, which may help to reduce the amount of sweat you release.

The only thing I didn’t like about it is that the stick is a bit hard, which makes applying the deodorant not so easy.

PROS

  • Uses organic shea butter and no harmful mineral salts
  • Natural baking soda claims to help absorb and neutralize sweat

​CONS

  • Stick is quite hard making it a bit difficult to apply to skin

8 – Lavanila Laboratories Healthy Deodorant

Another one of the vegan products with a nice selection of fragrances is this Lavanila one.

All of them are a combination of vanilla (surprise, surprise!).In quite a few user reviews, there are comments that it doesn’t cause much of a residue, which may reduce the risk of it staining your clothes

.However, it’s not the best option for all-day protection.

PROS

  • Nice selection of vanilla-based smells
  • People have commented that it doesn’t cause a residue

​CONS

  • Doesn’t last all-day

9 – Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant

One of the vegan cruelty-free deodorants, where we noticed a lot of feedback about how it worked for people with a very active life, is Tom’s of Maine.

With only natural ingredients, it does seem like the brand has struck a popular balance between smell and effectiveness.

One thing I would suggest, though, is to give it some time to dry before you put on your clothes, as it may leave some residue.

PROS

  • The smell is light and not too overpowering
  • Positive comments that it lasts well even when you’re active

​CONS

  • Does tend to leave a little bit of residue

10 – Sam’s Natural Deodorant Stick

Another vegan deodorant brand that makes it very clear that no animals were harmed.

(cruelty free Chapstick) is Sam’s. One of the main active ingredients is baking soda, and many users mention that it’s concentrated enough so that you may avoid having to reapply it.While it does have positive comments about not causing irritations, it may result in some stained clothing.

PROS

  • Doesn’t require a lot of product to last the day
  • Seems to reduce risk of skin irritations (see also our guide to hiding hyperpigmentation

​CONS

  • May cause some staining so make sure it dries in

11 – Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stick

If you’re tired of ruined clothes because you can’t get the deodorant stains out, then the best option may be this Crystal product.

It’s almost clear and gel-like with mineral salts that may counteract the development of sweat.On the downside, some users shared that it didn’t work as well as other vegan options when it came to how long it lasted.

PROS

  • Claims to have no residue or cause staining
  • Uses natural mineral salts as active ingredients

​CONS

  • May not be the best deodorant for very active vegans

12 – Lavender Moon All Natural Deodorant

This lavender vegan deodorant does have a pleasant smell that you might find is also soothing.

By using a mix of essential oils, it seems like it’s able to reduce sweating and odors for most of the day.

Just keep in mind that some people who tend to get skin (skin health) reactions shared that this wasn’t their favorite choice.

  •  Claims to provide non-toxic essential oils for all-day protection
  • Many positive reviews about the lavender smell

​CONS

  • Not the most suitable if your skin is highly sensitive

13 – Botanik Natural Deodorant

The final vegan option we want to share with you is this Botanik one.

There are quite a few positive comments from busy people who say it may help to reduce sweating throughout the day.

We also found that it doesn’t tend to stain your clothing.

The only downside is that it’s not currently available in a fragrance for men.

PROS

  •  Despite not using aluminum, many positive comments that it lasts all-day
  • Helps to avoid staining clothes by not using coconut oil

​CONS

  • Currently not available in a men’s fragrance

What Ingredients Do Vegan Deodorants Contain?

Vegan deodorants generally combine ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil and milk, essential oils, and in some cases, natural mineral oils (carrier Oils).However, in all of our research, we have found that some dubious labeling is sometimes used to make something look like it’s suitable for vegans.Here are two things to look out for.

Animal Product Free

First of all, you want to check the label for anything that may have been sourced from animals. PETA has a great resource that may help you with this [3], or else you could just pick one of the above vegan products.

Cruelty-Free

However, just because something wasn’t sourced from animals, doesn’t mean that no animals were harmed in the process. It’s important only to consider cruelty-free deodorants, and the best way to do that is to look for some certifications on the packaging.

Typically, animal tests for cosmetics include skin and eye (see botox) irritation tests where chemicals are rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of rabbits; repeated oral force-feeding studies lasting weeks or months to look for signs of general illness or specific health hazards, such as cancer or birth defects.

Humane Society International

But is that all?

Benefits Of Using Vegan Deodorants

Environment In Hands

Beyond being the right thing to do from an ethical point of view, there are two other reasons why vegans and non-vegans should consider using these products.

Environment & Sustainability

Especially when you choose organic ingredients, the damage to the environment may be significantly limited.But natural ingredients also tend not to have a harmful effect when they wash off during a shower and making it into the waterways [4].

Health And Wellbeing

With no harmful chemicals used as pesticides, there is also less risk of those chemicals making it into your body [5]. While these may only be tiny amounts, for something you apply every day, like a deodorant, there is a risk that it may accumulate over time to become harmful.

Deodorant Vs. Antiperspirant

One discussion we ended up in is trying to define the different types of products we analyzed.Smell And Sweat Image

We all tend to use the two terms interchangeably, but in reality, there are rather different.Basically, a regular deodorant will aim to provide odor protection.

So, when you do start sweating, the smell will be masked.An antiperspirant, on the other hand, will limit the sweating in the first place, most commonly by reducing the activity of sweat glands.

Other Resources You May Like:

FAQ

FAQ Banner Image

​Is Dove deodorant vegan?

No, Dove deodorant is not vegan (see also ‘Is CeraVe A Vegan Company?‘) as the company has not confirmed that it avoids the use of substances tested on animals. This is an unfortunate reality for most of the leading health and beauty companies.

 

Is Mitchum deodorant vegan?

No, not all Mitchum deodorants are vegan, with the main problem being that it’s sold in China where testing on animals is mandatory. So, even if the product technically didn’t cause any harm to animals in the US, it will have in China.

 

​Are all-natural deodorants vegan?

No, not all-natural deodorants are vegan, even if they advertise not containing animal ingredients. The main reason is that many of these deodorants have been directly tested on animals in very cruel ways.

It might be shocking to learn that animal testing is required by law in China for all foreign cosmetics (see also our article on Botox safety) companies. This means that all the big American and European cosmetics brands that are currently sold in China, must undergo animal testing.

Suzanne Rose

Vegan Journalist

With All Those Choices, Which One Should You Try?

To answer this, we had a heated debate followed by a vote. And despite loving a good argument, we all managed to agree that Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant is the one we would not want to be without.It ticks all the right boxes for containing natural ingredients, being chemical-free, and not having caused harm to animals or the environment.Give it a try and report back to us on social media to let us know if you agree.

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Jason Hughes
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